Our mission is to promote safe boating through education, instruction, and experiences both on and off the water. Learning opportunities are available to members of the Ford Yacht Club, US Military Veterans, US Military Active Duty, and First Responders. Possible scholarships accessible for US Military Veterans, US Military Active Duty and First Responders. We offer a learn to sail program that is
unique and a little different from other programs out there...
Our goal is to first let you experience sailing to see if it is something you like. After that we want to teach you:
Rules of the Road on the water
How to safely maneuverer a boat in a harbor and out on the water
What to watch for when you are out on the water - (Other boats, weather, etc.) How to operate a sailboat
Sailing in no wind, lots of wind, and on nice days
How to own and maintain a boat
Entry level sailboat racing
Cruising a sailboat
Launching and retrieving trailer boats
The way we teach is called "Friends teaching Friends" and the goal of the program is to use experienced boaters and sailors that can be Mentors to your learning. We use experiential teaching in order to prepare you to take qualification tests that can allow you to charter our fleet of boats. We are currently offering two ways to get Veterans, Active Duty, and First Responders out on the water:
Scholarship & Paid Lessons: As a Veteran, Active Duty, or First Responder, you may qualify for a fully paid scholarship in the safe boating education and learn to sail programs that Sail GI offers. Scholarships are limited each year and based on the number of instructors, classes offered, and available funding. When class registration begins, a given number of openings for Veterans, Active Duty, and First Responders will be reserved and awarded on qualification through application. Applications will be available come May 1st on this website. Rum Race Opportunities: Many Sundays during the Summer, weather depending, we have a series of races in Lake Erie called the "Rum Races." These are low key, fun races, that are meant to get sailors out using their own boats. Many of these boat owners are willing to take Veterans, Active Duty, and First Responders out to participate in these events. We try to help make these connections so you can try out sailing and meet new people. You may be thinking you don't have much to offer to go out on someone's boat, well, the way the scoring works the boat you are on gets a "head-start" on the race course as a bonus for every Veteran, Active Duty, or First Responder they take out with them!
